Binding machine



April 2, 1963 cs. L. 'ORME BINDING MACHINE Filed June 16, 1958 IN V EN TOR.

EMA/T L. 09445 3 BUCKHORN, CHEAT/1AM 8 KORE ATTORVEYS United States Patent 3,083,742 BINDlNG MACHINE Grant L. Grime, Finn Rock, Qreg. Filed June 16, 1958, Ser. No. 742,072 3 Claims. (Cl. 14093.2)

This invention relates to binding machines for tightening a strap or other elongated binding element around an article or articles of commerce to be bound and then securing together adjacent end portions of the taut binding element to provide the desired bound package.

It is a main object of the present invention to provide a single machine for accomplishing the above function.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine as just described having a single handle by which all the desired operations may be carried out upon operation of the handle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the type just described capable of use with a roll or long length of binding element, which machine is operable to cut oif a section of the binding element after the element has been tightened and secured around the article or articles to be bound, so that it is not necessary to cut the binding element into sections prior to application to the article or articles to be bound.

Various other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a machine embodying the concepts of the present invention, showing the machine resting on a package to be bound, and showing the parts in the positions they occupy at the commencement of a cycle of operation;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the machine; and

.FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing a subsequent stage of operation.

General Description The particular embodiment of the invention disclosed is adapted to tighten a paper strap about a bundle to be bound, and to press overlapped adhesively covered portions of the strap together to effect a bond between such portions. However, the machine could with minor modifications to be described hereinafter, handle other types of binding element, such as, heat sensitive plastic strip, steel tape, wire, cord, and the like.

The machine shown has a frame including an L-shaped upright wall 11 and a laterally projecting horizontal integral cantilever base 13. The machine is placed on or is supported just above a bundle B to be bound, and a section of strap S is manually wrapped around the article in a manner to be presently described more in.

detail so that an end of the strap is below a .presser foot 15, the strap thereafter passing around the bundle and then again under the presser foot to provide a return portion overlying the end of the strap. Then the strap passes through the machine to the supply, not shown. The end of the strap beneath the foot 15 is coated on its upper face with an adhesive material prior to the strap being passed around the bundle. An articulated handle having a lower portion 17 and an upper portion 19 is swingable from the position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. 3 to (1) first grip a portion of the strap between a pair of jaws 2'1 and 23 on the handle parts 17 and 19, respectively, then (2) draw the strap tightly about the bundle, then (3) pull the presser foot 15 downwardly to press the upper strap portion against the lower adhesively coated strap end, and then (4) cut off the strap by means of a knife 25 mounted on a knife carrier 27. During the movement of the handle from its left-hand to its right-hand position, the jaws 3,083,742 Patented Apr. 2, 1963 21 and 23 allow controlled slipping of the strap through the jaws after the proper tension of the strap about the bundle is achieved.

The adhesive material utilized is of quick drying variety and thus the machine may be readily and immediately removed from the package or vice versa, by shifting the machine and package relatively sideways relative to one another to remove the base 13 from under the strap around the package.

Specific Description The lower part 17 of the handle is pivoted at 51 on the back face of the wall 11 and is pivotally connected by a pin 53 to the upper handle part 19. The lower handle part has a lug 55 projecting laterally at the upper portion thereof, and a regulating screw 57 is threadedly received through the lug 55 and in position to engage the lower portion of the upper handle part 19 at a place above the pivot pin 53. The screw 57 therefore limits clockwise movement of the upper handle part 19 relative to the lower handle part 17.

The lower jaw 21 is fixed to the lower handle part 17 whereas the upper jaw 23 is fixed to the upper handle part 19 at a place adjacent the pivot 53. The upper handle part 19 has a hook 59 formed on the lower portion thereof engaging the jaw 21 on the lower handle part 17. This limits the counterclockwise movement of the handle part 19 relative to the handle part 17.

It is apparent from the description of the handle that upon clockwise movement of the upper handle part 19, the upper jaw 23 moves toward the lower jaw to grip the strap S therebetween. By appropriate adjustment of the screw 57, the amount of pressure can be regulated.

The opposed faces of the jaws 21 and 2 3 are slightly rounded so that the strap S can slip between the jaws after the pressure determined by the position of the screw 57 is achieved. In other words, after the tension on the bundle reaches the desired amount, the strap will slip between the jaws rather than breaking the strap or excessively tightening the strap about the bundle.

It is pointed out at this time that the free end of the strap is kept beneath the presser foot 15 at the time the strap is being tightened by a pawl 61 which is urged by a spring 63 in a counterclockwise direction and thus enables the strap to be passed beneath the pawl in a direction from right to left, but prevents retraction of the strap in a direction from left to right.

The pin 53 of the handle fits in a long slot 65 formed in the right-hand end of a link 67, .which is bent, as best shown in FIG. 2, to pass over the Wall 11. The slot provides a lost motion connection between the link and the handle. The left-hand end of the link is pivoted at 6') to the knife carrier 27 adjacent the upper end thereof. The carrier comprises a pair of spaced plates, which for convenience are both identified by the reference numeral 27. The link 67 fits between these plates. iournaled between the upper ends of the knife carrier plates above the link 67 is a roller 71 engaging a track member 73. The track member is supported by screws 7 5 which thread into the track member and extend through slots in a wedge member 77 and also through a laterally extending top ledge portion 79 of the frame of the machine. The longitudinal position of the wedge member determines the spacing between the foot 15 and the base 13 and thus determines the pressure applied to the overlapped strap portions. By loosening the screws 75, the position of the wedge member may be changed and then held by again tightening the screws.

If desired, the wedge member may have threaded studs projecting through an end wall 80 of the frame, and nuts could be provided on the studs to assure against accidental displacement of the wedge member from a particular position in which it has been set.

The lower end portions of the knife carrier plates 27 straddle the right-hand end of a presser foot arm 89 and are pivoted at 91 thereto.- The left-hand end of the presser foot arm is pivoted at 93 between the wall 11 and a front wall plate 95 secured to the end wall 80 of the frame. Adjacent its right-hand end, the presser foot arm 89 is pivotally connected at 97 to the presser foot 15. A spring 99 urges the presser foot arm in a counterclockwise direction.

The. knife 25, previously mentioned, is disposed above a slot 100 in an anvil 101 over which the strap passes. The anvil is securedto. the wall 11.

In addition to the pawl 61, a pawl 103 is provided and urged by'spring 105 in a counterclockwise direction toward a lug 107. The purpose of this pawl will presently be explained.

The base member 13 is recessed at 109 to enable an end of the strap S, formed after a cutting operation, to be readily graspedfor a subsequent cycle of operations.

An adhesive applicator in the form of a container 111 and an adhesive impregnated sponge 113 is mounted on the handle part 19 to be disposed in a convenient location relative to the operations to be carried, out.

The operation of the device is as follows. The strap is assumedto be in the position shown in FIG. 1 with its adhesively coated end beneath the presser foot andon the base 13, and then extending under the pawl 61 and around the bundle and again under the foot 15, thenover the anvil 101, between the pawl 103 and the lug 107 and between the jaws 21 and 23 to the supply.

The first movement of the'handle part 19 to the right brings the handle part against the screw 57 and brings the jaw 23 against the strap S to apply a predetermined pressure, to the strap. Further clockwise movement of the handle pulls the strap S tightly around the bundle, the pawl 61 holding the end portion of the strap on the base 13- in place and against movement. This tightening of the strap is accomplished with the presser foot 15 raised because the pivot pin 53 merely moves along the slot 65 without moving the link 67.

Stillfurther clockwise movement of the handle does pull the link 67 to the left and thus causes clockwise movement of the carrier 27. 'The carrier now acts as a push rod to swing the presser foot in a clockwise direction to firmly pressthe overlapped strap portions together and effect a joint therebetween. Maximum pressure occurs just as the line extending through the pin 91 and the axis of the roller 71 reaches a vertical position. The knife 27 has not as yet engaged the strap S.

Still further movement of the handle moves the carrier over center and in engagement with a curved portion 73a of the track member. -This portion has the axis of the pin 91 as itscenter of curvature. Thus there is no further downward movement of the foot 15 as the carrier swings beyond the position shown in FIG. 3, but the knife is forced through the strap and into the anvil slot 100 to sever the strap. Thus the pressure of the foot 15 is maintained constant during the entire cutting movement of the knife 25.

During the movement of the handle from left to right the strap will slip between the jaws 21 and 23 when the desired tension in the strap has been reached.

The bundle B is now securely bound and the machine is moved rearwardly to remove the base 13 from under the strap S to facilitate the binding of a second bundle. The spring 99 assists the return of the handle to its initial position. The newly cut end of the strap S held by the pawl 103 may be readily grasped because of the recess 109 in the base 13 and pulled to the left to provide a new portion of strap for passage about the second bundle. The new strap end is wiped across the sponge 113 to coat the proper face thereof with adhee sive material. The adhesive applicator is merely illus- 4 trative and other forms, such as a roller type could be employed.

The invention is not intended to be limited to the particular linkage shown between the handle and the knife 25 and foot 15, as other linkages could be used. Also, the invention is not intended to be limited to a paper strap binding machine, since the foot 15 and the base 13 could readily be adapted for securing parts of other types of binding elements together. For instance, an electrical heating element could be incorporated in the foot 15 or in the base 13, or in both to effect the securement of parts of a heat sensitive binding element together. Or a spot welding head could. be provided on the foot or base 13 to secure parts of a steel strap. or wire together. It is believed unnecessary to explain other adaptations since these will readily be known to those skilled inthe art.

The term bundle has been used in the specification to designate the article or articles to be wrapped, but the term object will be used in the claims to designate whatever it is that is to be bound, whether a single article or several articles.

In the event there. is considerable slack in the strap S at the commencement of a cycle of operation, the handle may be pumped back and forth within the limits of movement provided by the slot 65 to take up this slack. During the. pumping operation the pawl 103 permits the strap to be pulled therepast to the right but prevents movement of the strap to theleft, thus retaining the strap immovable during counterclockwise movement of the handle.

Having described the invention in what is considered to be the preferred embodiment thereof, it is desired that it be understood that the invention is not to be limited other than by the provisions of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A binding machine for (a). tightening an vendportion of a flexible binding element about an object to be bound, (b) securing the end of said portion to a return part of the element and, (0) cutting off the portion to. separate it from the remainder of such element, said machine comprising a frame for positioning near the end of said portion and next to said object, asingle operating handle mounted on said frame for pivotal movement about a single fixed axis, said handle having means for gripping said element in spaced relation to said pivotal axis of said handle to enable tensioning of the binding element when said handle is moved in one direction, a mechanism for effecting the securement of said end of said portion to said return part, a cut-off mechanism, said securement mechanism being pivotally mounted on said frame, said cut-off mechanism being pivotally connected to said securement mechanism, a linkage between said handle and said cut-off mechanism to pivot the cut-off mechanism to its operative position during pivotal movement of said handle, and means whereby the pivotal movement of said cut-olf mechanism causes operation of said securement mechanism in advance of the complete operation of said cut-off mechanism.

2. A binding machine for (a) tightening an end portion of a flexible binding element about an object to be bound, (b) securing the end of said portion to a return part of the element and (0) cutting off the portion to separate it from remainder of such element, said machine comprising a frame for positioning near the end of said portion and next to said object, a single operating handle mounted on said frame for pivotal movement about a single fixed axis, said. handle having means for gripping said element in spaced relation to said pivotal axis of said handle, a presser foot mechanism mounted on said frame for pivotal movement about a single fixed axis and operable when actuated for pressing two portions of said binding element together for the purpose of securing such portions together, a cut-off member pivotally connected to said presser foot mechanism in spaced relation to the pivotal axis of said presser foot mechanism, a link pivotally connected to said cut-off mechanism and having a lost motion connection with said handle whereby the cut-off mechanism is pivoted after the binding element is tensioned, a fixed anvil member adjacent said cut-off member, means on said frame for forcing said cut-off member toward said anvil and said presser foot member toward its fully operative position upon pivotal movement of said cut-off member, said anvil being spaced from said cut-01f member a distance sufiicient to enable said presser foot mechanism to reach its fully operative position before said cut-off member reaches its fully operative position.

3. A binding machine for (a) tightening an end portion of a flexible binding element about an object to be bound, (b) securing the end of said portion to a return part of the element and (c) cutting ofl? the portion to separate it from the remainder of such element, said machine comprising a frame for positioning near the end of said portion and next to said object, a single operating handle mounted on said frame for pivotal movement about a single fixed axis, said handle having means for gripping said element in spaced relation to said pivotal axis of said handle, a presser foot mechanism mounted on said frame for pivotal movement about a single fixed axis and operable when actuated for pressing two portions of said binding element together for the purpose of securing such portions together, a cut-ofi member pivotally connected to said presser foot mechanism in spaced relation to the pivotal axis of said presser foot mechanism, a link pivotally connected to said cut-off mechanism and having a lost motion connection with said handle whereby the cut-off mechanism is pivoted after the binding element is tensioned, a fixed anvil member adjacent said cut-oft member, said cut-ofi mechanism carrying a roller engaging a cam surface on said frame for causing movement of said cut-off member and said presser foot mechanism toward their fully operative positions upon pivotal movement of said cut-off member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,778,530 Kool Oct. 14, 1930 2,036,866 Frost Apr. 7, 1936 2,076,276 Porter Apr. 6, 1937 2,336,264 Leslie Dec. 7, 1943 2,622,844 Abbott Dec. 23, 1952 2,643,687 Schlage et a1. June 30, 1953 2,651,900 Heilman Sept. 15, 1953 2,779,566 Keeble Jan. 29, 1957 

1. A BINDING MACHINE FOR (A) TIGHTENING AN END PORTION OF A FLEXIBLE BINDING ELEMENT ABOUT AN OBJECT TO BE BOUND, (B) SECURING THE END OF SAID PORTION TO A RETURN PART OF THE ELEMENT AND, (C) CUTTING OFF THE PORTION TO SEPARATE IT FROM THE REMAINDER OF SUCH ELEMENT, SAID MACHINE COMPRISING A FRAME FOR POSITIONING NEAR THE END OF SAID PORTION AND NEXT TO SAID OBJECT, A SINGLE OPERATING HANDLE MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT A SINGLE FIXED AXIS, SAID HANDLE HAVING MEANS FOR GRIPPING SAID ELEMENT IN SPACED RELATION TO SAID PIVOTAL AXIS OF SAID HANDLE TO ENABLE TENSIONING OF THE BINDING ELEMENT WHEN SAID HANDLE IS MOVED IN ONE DIRECTION, A MECHANISM FOR EFFECTING THE SECUREMENT OF SAID END OF SAID PORTION TO SAID RETURN PART, A CUT-OFF MECHANISM, SAID SECUREMENT MECHANISM BEING PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME, SAID CUT-OFF MECHANISM BEING PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID SECUREMENT MECHANISM, A LINKAGE BETWEEN SAID HANDLE AND SAID CUT-OFF MECHANISM TO PIVOT THE CUT-OFF MECHANISM TO ITS OPERATIVE POSITION DURING PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF SAID HANDLE, AND MEANS WHEREBY THE PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF SAID CUT-OFF MECHANISM CAUSES OPERATION OF SAID SECUREMENT MECHANISM IN ADVANCE OF THE COMPLETE OPERATION OF SAID CUT-OFF MECHANISM. 